Derek Holland was hoping to be back on a big-league mound on June 1 after undergoing microfracture surgery after a freak injury involving stairs and his dog back in January.
That day has long since come and gone.
But after making his fourth rehab start earlier this week for Triple-A Round Rock, there's a possibility Holland's next start could come with the big club, and possibly in a place where he's been awfully successful in his career.
The Rangers have been working recently with a four-man rotation since Yu Darvish was placed on the disabled list and haven't yet needed a fifth starter thanks to two off-days this week, but that's about to change. Come Tuesday, when the Rangers play their second of three games in Seattle, they'll need another starter and there a couple of possibilities.
They could always roll with Robbie Ross again after he had a stellar outing in Round Rock the other night after being hit hard in his spot start with the Rangers for Darvish last weekend. Or, they could go with Holland, who has let it be down he thinks he's ready to make his Rangers debut.
It would be a good place for Holland to begin his season, as there hasn't been a more friendly yard to Holland than Safeco Field in Seattle. In his six career games, four of which were starts, in Seattle, Holland has a 1.39 ERA and a 3-0 record with one shutout.
With the minor-league season coming to an end, Holland will be out of rehab options soon. So it'll be interesting to see how the Rangers play this.
